England, steeped in royal splendour and noble history, has cultivated a reputation for quiet elegance and refined sensibilities. People flock to England with expectations of tasteful architecture, cultural vibrance, discerning etiquette, bosky countrysides, and minted walkways. As William Shakespeare eloquently wrote about the country, “this royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, this earth of majesty…this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
England also boasts impressive edifices, old world money, and propertied enclaves. As such, travellers and admirers can immerse themselves in the English manner of living with luxurious flourish. Read on to discover the best luxury hotels in England.
Grantley Hall Hotel, North Yorkshire
Adjudged “AA Hotel of the Year” by Inspectors’ Choice Hotel, Grantley Hall Hotel is the crown jewel in Yorkshire’s crown of luxury hotels.
The hotel is located on a 17th-century estate by the River Skell. An archetypal Palladian-style building, Grantley Hall was originally built as a family manor. Having been passed on from one aristocratic family to another, it was finally transformed into a luxury hotel in 2015. The amber-hued building holds countless historic secrets and lore, from the fascinating affairs of the English landed gentry to the political witticisms of parliamentarians.
The Grantley Hall Hotel is equipped with 47 magnificent bedrooms, all designed with a sophisticated eye and contemporary flair – muted tones, restrained patterns, symmetrical panels, and touches of indoor greenery make for wholesome yet elevated spaces. There are five upscale restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin. A gorgeous ebony-panelled bar, a champagne room, and an afternoon tea room are also in the mix. Their spa is an inventive marvel with several indoor and outdoor pools, state-of-the-art treatments, and a unique spa and dining avenue.
The Idle Rocks, Cornwall
The Idle Rocks aims to be “your home away from home ” – they certainly deliver this promise and exceed expectations while doing so.
Perched with delicate care on rocks, the Idle Rocks boasts peerless views of the Fal estuary. The fortress-esque structure was built in 1913 on the site of a bakery and has been a luxury inn since 1930. Belying its exterior antiquated charm, the interiors are modish, fashionable, and balanced – think light pastel colour palettes, modern artwork, sleek sofas, and shabby-chic cabinetry.
The Idle Rocks hosts 19 seaview rooms, including a grand cottage suite. Each room is uniquely designed, inspired by the briny beauty of St. Mawes. Additionally, there are three restaurants on the premises furnishing authentic Cornish cuisine.
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire is a paragon of pastoral luxury, with mediaeval mystique seamlessly marrying contemporary glamour.
The 15th-century building, enveloped by the Milton countryside, is completely untethered from the chaos of modernity. Originally a manor house, not much has changed since its evolution into a luxury hotel in 1984.
The honey-brick building hosts 32 rooms and suites, all exemplifying French panache. Led by Chef Raymond Blanc OBE, its namesake restaurant has two Michelin stars and hosts regular Michelin masterclasses. The estate has perfectly manicured lawns and orchards, as well as a Japanese garden, and guests may engage in gardening and landscaping activities. Abloom with nature’s bounties, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is perfect for those off-grid, revitalising vacations.
11 Cadogan Gardens, London
Located in one of London’s most prestigious postcodes, 11 Cadogan Gardens possesses all the graces of a West End gem. The hotel, which is a collection of four townhouses built by Lord Chelsea, is a recognisable London icon exemplifying the city’s rich architectural heritage.
The establishment is an epitome of Victorian architectural excellence, with its red-brick facade and ornately carved terraces. The interiors are lavished with genteel ebony cabinetry, marble flooring, intricate pillars, and princely fireplaces. Contemporary minimalism, however, was employed in much of the bedroom decor, with abstract art, sleek lampshades, modern sofas, and understated bedding.
A five-star boutique hotel, 11 Cadogan Gardens is London’s sole Relais & Châteaux hotel member (an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants around the world, aiming to foster lasting relationships with guests and provide them a new home). The hotel comprises 34 rooms and 22 suites. For dining options, there's a hip watering hole known as the Chelsea Bar and the iconic Hans’ Bar & Grill.
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa is a luxury bolthole retreat, residing in the heart of Chippenham on a resplendent 500-acre parkland.
The building is a typical Palladian structure, dating to the early 18th century. Built originally as a family home, it was transformed into a high-end inn in 1984. Its brick walls, bountiful gardens, and baroque woodwork have been tastefully restored to evoke the manor’s heyday glory.
There are over 42 rooms and suites decked out in Victorian splendour, with rich tapestries, gilted furniture, archaic bed canopies, and period chandeliers. A high-end restaurant and an intimate brasserie present delectable British gastronomy, and the newly fitted avant-garde spa has the most à la mode treatments on offer.
Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, Hampshire
Ensconced in the Milton countryside, Chewton Glen prides itself on being an “English Original,” with its heritage, unspoiled architectural brilliance, and unbridled verdure.
Dating to the 18th century, the Chewton Glen is a quintessential Gothic structure set on a 130-acre woodland. Many antiquated themes and cultural eccentricities have been woven into the hotel’s decor as a nod to Britain’s rich history. Cream-hued interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, antique mirrors, fanciful wallpaper, and gargantuan cabinetry adorn the interiors. Tufted sofas and gothic chandeliers fill the hotel with fablesque character.
Chewton Glen was designed to be a luxury countryside spa retreat, with a Roman pool, crystal steam rooms, an outdoor hot tub, and an enviable spa menu. There are a plethora of highly immersive residences, from grand Victorian suites to treehouse alcoves and garden rooms, in addition to two fine dining establishments and exclusive afternoon tea affairs.
The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Bath
The Royal Crescent Hotel is a neoclassical jewel reposing on lovely mediaeval gardens. With a 250-year legacy in the historic city of Bath, it is more than a luxury spa haunt – it’s a destination.
Aglow in honey-hued, mystical charm, the hotel is like a time capsule encapsulating Bath’s zenith of aristocratic affluence. The untouched, faded brick facade evocatively captures the structure’s historical scars. Cobblestoned walls, magniloquent panels, and sumptuous tapestries fill the interiors, enhancing the hotel’s fantastical wonder.
The hotel is equipped with 45 bedrooms, including an extravagant garden front villa. The hotel’s showstopper, however, is its spa. Filled with the wafting aromas of incense, the wellness enclave is outfitted with a 12-metre heated relaxation pool, a vitality pool with massage jets, a sauna, and a stone-lined salon. Seasoned therapists and aestheticians curate bespoke treatments for guests, making the Royal Crescent a great pick of the bunch.
The Berkeley, London
Cradled amidst the Buckingham Palace and multimillion-worth Knightsbridge townhouses, the Berkeley is an icon of English luxury – indeed, access to the Berkeley is the ultimate status symbol.
The hotel was once a coffee house in the 18th century. Much of the interiors, such as the fireplaces, the Lutyens’ panelling, and intricate pillars, have been restored to celebrate Berkeley’s past. However, the designers have made bold contemporary strides in other aspects of the decor, such as the staggering glass entrance, muted colour palettes, trendy fusion themes, and sleek ornaments.
The Berkeley is one of London’s most prominent luxury family retreats, with creative children's packages and diverse afternoon tea experiences. There’s also a dapper cocktail bar, in addition to an elegant restaurant led by celebrity chef Marcus Wareing. For the health and wellness enthusiasts, there’s a luxe gym as well as elaborate spa services.
England, the land of royalty, architectural gems, and a gilded colonial legacy, is an enchanting world in its own right. A fascinating harmony between culture and unbridled luxury, the island is indeed a heavenly escape from the fetters of the world. It’s time to enjoy the wonders of England in a lap of luxury.
